70+ Essex Halloween Events, Pumpkin Patches (including FREE entry) + Halloween Trails! 2025 Guide
- Essex Parks
- Sep 5
- 14 min read
Updated: 7 days ago
Where to go Pumpkin Picking in Essex - Halloween 2025 Guide
Essex is alive with Halloween spirit, showcasing a varied selection of events and trails appealing to all ages. From haunted houses and ghostly tours to vibrant pumpkin festivals, the options for celebration are endless. Whether you seek hair-raising thrills, spooky entertainment, or family-friendly fun, these Halloween events and trails in Essex promise unforgettable experiences.
Parks of Essex have put together a list of The BEST Halloween and Half Term Events in Essex! Discover Halloween events including Essex pumpkin patches (including an Essex pumpkin patch with FREE entry. This guide also contains Halloween events, Halloween trails and free October half term events in Essex. So gather your family and friends, don your costumes, and embark on an adventure through the enchanting and eerie side of Essex this Halloween!
Halloween events and Pumpkin Patches are often very popular. It is recommended you book well in advance. Our guide to Essex Pumpkin Patches features ticket prices (correct at time of publishing - September 2025) and links to book tickets. Please check with the organiser before you travel. More events will be added as the month goes on so make sure to check back regularly.
Pumpkin Patches in Essex
Visiting a pumpkin patch is more than just gathering pumpkins; it’s a full experience that celebrates the spirit of fall. Many patches offer a range of activities, from hayrides to corn mazes and petting zoos. Each activity adds to the fun, making it a memorable outing, especially for families.
The Parks of Essex Pumpkin Patch Guide features pumpkin patches across Essex. Check out pumpkin patches, pumpkin fields and pumpkin forests in Basildon, Colchester, Bishops Stortford, Southend-on-Sea and Chelmsford. Some pumpkin patches also host SEN sessions and are labelled accordingly. There are even some great pumpkin patches which are NEW for 2025! Grab your family and friends and prepare for an adventure at the top pumpkin patches in Essex!
Takely, Bishop Stortford
Hatter's Farm is a great Pumpkin Patch in Bishops Stortford. We visited Hatters Farm last Autumn and highly recommend! This year there is over 75 different varieties of pumpkin and squash at the Pumpkin Patch, As well as the large patch, there is also a hay bale mountain and maze, Hatter's haunted mad house, live actors and indoor farm play area. Extra paid activities include the pumpkin cannon, maize maze and face painting. There are also pumpkin nights events, which also include live music! Daytime pumpkin patch entry from £4.50 to £6.50. Pumpkin nights from £9.65. The patch opens for weekends starting from the 4th October and is also open throughout half term week.
Pumpkin Patch
Pumpkin Night Event
Cobbs Farm FREE ENTRY
Cobbs Farm is great pumpkin patch located just outside MaldonCobbs Farm is a working farm, which also grows all it's own pumpkins. Each year Cobbs Farm opens for a few days and has FREE entry to the Patch. This year the patch is open on 11th, 12th, 18th, 19th October and also from 24th to 31st October. There is also free parking and no booking required!
Pumpkin Patch
Southend
This autumn Priory Park in Essex is hosting a Southend pumpkin patch which is NEW for 2025! Visit on the 25th or 26th October to choose a pumpkin, meet some farmyard friends and complete the spooky scavenger hunt! There is also face painting, crafting, games, Halloween potion making and a children's trail. Adults £8, Children £6 plus booking fee. Under 3 go free.
Pumpkin Patch SEN Friendly Sessions
Hatfield Broad Oak
Cammas Hall Farm is one of our favourite Essex Farms! In the Summer the farm has incredible pick your own fruit. In the autumn the farm is transformed for Halloween! Visit the world's only erupting Pumpcano at the Hatfield Broad Oak Pumpkin Patch. Cammas Hall also hosts SEN friendly sessions. Tickets from £6.95. Explore the Halloween Maize Maze! £6. Pumpkin Patch Nights Resurrected includes music tribute acts! Adults £14.95, Children £9.95. Halloween events start from 4th October.
Pumpkin Patch SEN Friendly Sessions
Pumpkin Night Event
Rochford
Scotts of Southend garden centre has a great indoor pumpkin barn. NEW for 2025 there is also an outdoor pumpkin farm. Halloween tickets include access to both and the maize maze. Each ticket includes one free medium pumpkin. The event is 100% dog friendly! There is also a twilight pumpkin party event! Weekends and Half Term £10 online, £15 on the door. Weekdays not in half term £7.50. Twilight Pumpkin Party tickets £12. The Halloween festivities start from 1st October at Scott's!
Pumpkin PatchÂ
Pumpkin Night Event
Battlesbridge
Hurley's Farm in Battlesbridge is home to Hurley’s Christmas Tree Farm , Pumpkin Patch & Hurley’s Pumpkin Farm. Hurley's pumpkin farm is full of interesting squashes and gourds. Dates available throughout October weekends & Half-Term for Squash and Pumpkin Picking at the Pumpkin Farm. Tickets for up to 4 people from £12 - £20. Twilight sessions also available!
Pumpkin PatchÂ
Pumpkin Night Event
Benfleet
The Halloween offering at The Green Barn Farm Pumpkin Field is bigger and better than ever this year! Access to the pumpkin field includes one pumpkin per person, access to the maize maze, live actors, tractor rides and entry to the haunted barn. Look out for live actors and stilt walkers. Adult tickets £13.04, Children £9.39, Family Ticket two adults two children £40.69. The patch opens for weekends starting from the 4th October and everyday during October half term.
Pumpkin PatchÂ
Colchester and Basildon
Foxes Farm have two sites in Essex - there is a pumpkin patch in Basildon and another pumpkin patch in Colchester. As well as pumpkin picking, there is a pumpkin run and pumpkin nights running at the Colchester site. Tickets for up to 4 people from £25 to £28 plus booking fee. Tickets include 4 free munchkin pumpkins. Pumpkin nights from £7 to £9 per person plus booking fee. The patch opens for weekends starting from the 4th October and everyday from 18th - 31st October.
Pumpkin Patch
Pumpkin Night Event
Farmer Scott's has a pumpkin patch in Brentwood, Essex. As well as a pick your own pumpkin patch, there is a maize maze and brand-new, huge indoor Pumpkin Barn filled with spooky themed displays, photo station and gift shop. Farmer Scott's is dog friendly. Tickets £10 each, includes one free medium pumpkin.
Pumpkin Patch
Braintree
The Otto's Braintree Pumpkin Patch is home to the pumpkin house, pumpkin free, games area and decorated faraway forest with a fun quiz. Otto's Patch opens on weekends from 4th October and every day from 23rd to 31st October.
Pumpkin PatchÂ
Galleywood, Chelmsford
Lathcoats Farm hosts a great Pumpkin Festival! Access to the pumpkin festival includes outdoor games, plenty of photo opportunities and lots of pumpkins. Take part in the Halloween Hunt and stamp your Lathcoats Passport as you visit spooky locations. Booking details to be announced soon.
Pumpkin PatchÂ
South Woodham Ferrers
Marsh Farm Animal Adventure Park is home to a large pumpkin picking patch this Halloween. SEN Friendly Pumpkin Picking and dog friendly pumpkin days and nights! Tickets from £3.50 - £7.50 per person. The patch is open on Friday, Saturday, Sunday starting from the 3rd October and everyday from 17th - 31st October.
Pumpkin Patch
Pumpkin Night Event
Clacton-on-Sea
Hasty's Farm has it's usual farm offerings this Halloween with the addition of a toddler friendly pumpkin trail and patch! Tickets from Adult £10.95, Child £10.95, Toddler £7.45 VIP experience also available!
Pumpkin Patch
Halloween Festival from 25th October until 2nd November. Plenty to see and do... as well as the usual farm animals check out the haunted house, scary stories, ghost trail and Halloween tattoos, free pumpkin for every child. Admission applies.
Pumpkin PatchÂ
FREE (and £1) Halloween Events in Essex for 2025
Halloween Parade - Southend Seafront
25th The Seafront parade will feature exciting entries for the whole family including dance performances, a lighting spectacular and giant lit up puppets made by local artists.
Spooky Trail - Various Country Parks - Belhus Woods, Great Notley, Danbury, Thorndon, Weald, Cudmore Grove
18th - 2nd Find the spooky characters and count them to help the rangers complete the spell to send the creepy characters home? Pick up or download a free Spooky Trail sheet.
Halloween Trail - High Woods Country Park
25th - 1st Follow the trail map and find the eight ghosts of High Woods Country Park hiding out in the woods. They will reveal the secret word. Whisper the word to the staff at the Visitor Centre to claim your ghost hunters’ reward. Trail £1 from High Woods Visitor Centre). No booking required
Halloween High-Jinks – Salary Brook
31st Join an Autumnal walk in the woods then make your own Witches or Wizards Broom from natural materials.
Spooky Animal Trail - Garon Park
The first ever Halloween Week at Wellbeing Garon Park! Join the trail and hunt for hidden animal skeletons along the woefully wicked walkway. Once found you can collect your Halloween certificate. Along the way enjoy photo opportunities and creepy crafts. There will be extra activities on Opening day Monday 27th October Including hot chocolate, face painting and spellbounding stories. No need to book. £1 minimum donation (£3 on opening day 27th which includes hot chocolate and extras.
Autumn Activities - Hadliegh Park
There are activities to suit all the family at Hadleigh Park including dog friendly walking trails, Hadleigh Park playground and horse riding. Hadleigh Park is also perfect for bike lovers. There is a mountain bike course, bike hire, bike workshop and bike wash.
Free Autumn Activities include Autumn Suncatches (28th), Fir cone bird feeders (29th), litter pick and glow in the dark badge craft (30th).
Halloween Pumpkin Hunt - Colchester City Centre
13 pumpkins are hiding in shops across Colchester, each with a secret letter. Collect them all, crack the mystery word and you could win a family ticket to Shrek the Musical at Charter Hall this Christmas. Trail runs from 25th October - 1st November. Email your code word to hello@ourcolchester.co.uk
Family Half Term Activiites - Saffron Walden Town Hall
28th October at Saffron Walden Town Hall! Join members of the cast of Saffron Hall’s pantomime Dick Whittington for a fun-packed session; full of games, music, audience participation and much more! Storytime with Saffron Walden Library. There willalso be free face painting and get creative with cat and dog mask making by Saffron Walden Castle
Trick or Treat Trail - Ingatestone High Street
Trick or Treat Trail along the High Street in Ingatestone between 10am and 4pm. There is a great play area just behind the High Street in Ingatestone at Fairfield Playing Fields. Make sure you stop by along the route!
Shenfield Spooktacular - Hutton Road Shenfield
31st October between 3pm and 6pm.
Festival of Frights - Brentwood High Street
1st November between 2pm and 5pm.
Halloween Events in Essex
Pets' Corner is a lovely little farm, which is located in the grounds of Harlow Town Park, Essex. It is FREE to enter Pet's Corner Farm, making this a great budget friendly day out in Essex. FREE day pout There are also two great play areas at Town Park - Pet's Corner Playground and the Playground at Town Park.
Halloween Event - join the Ghost hunt, Halloween Crafts, Creepy Crawly Animal Experience. Full details, including prices to be announced soon via the Pets Corner Facebook Page.
Spooky Forest School - 30th Enjoy amazing activities such as potion and broomstick making, cook ghoulish marshmallows on the camp fire, take part in a scary Scavenger Hunt. Sessions must be booked online in advance. £10 for first child, £6 for siblings.
28th Nature Tots Autumn Special £8.80
28th Wizarding Wands - Follow the trail to the woodland, where wizards await!  Whittle your perfect autumn wand and craft a spell £5.60
Wizards, Witches and Wonder Chelmsford Museum at Oaklands Park
28th - 31st Make magnificent magic wands, spooktacular spell jars, ghastly origami ghosts and decipher ancient runes and more! Dress up like a Witch or Wizard and meet the Witchfinder General. £5 Members, £6 Non-members, one free adult per child, additional adults pay the museum admission fee of £4 unless they hold a membership.
There are plenty of amazing ancient woodland to explore at Belfairs Woods in Leigh-on-Sea! Children will love den building, splashing in the streams and puddles and also the challenging wooden adventure playground!Â
28th Den Building for Families £5.70
29th Belfairs Creepy Crawlies £5.70
30th Woodland Wizards and Forest Fairies £8.80
31st Wilder Holiday Club £37
Halloween at Audley End
25th - 2nd Follow the quest to solve creepy clues and gather round to listen to spooky stories. Join Audley End’s very own Victorian ghost hunters. Find out how the Victorians tried to speak with spirits from beyond the grave. Admission applies.
Secret Lives of Pumpkins at Hyde Hall
Pumpkin carvings, meet creepy-crawlies with Zoolab and explore the pumpkin trail, enjoy a magical autumn storytelling walk and take part in pumpkin-themed crafts.
Entrance to the gardens Adults £15.85, Children £7.95, Under 5s Free
25th - 2nd Pumpkin Garden Trail - find giant pumpkin letters and see scarecrows showcasing different veggies used in the past for carving.
27th Ethical animal encounter and meet the likes of snakes, spiders and snails. £6 + admission - booking required
30th and 31st Pumpkin Crafts £2.50 + admission - booking required
29th Pumpkin carving demonstration
Hanningfield Reservoir
29th - Hanningfield Sorcerer Seekers and Wand Whittlers £8.80
30th - Nature Tots Autumn Special £8.80
31st - Spooky Spells and Pongy Potion - A walk through the woods searching for spooky spell and pongy potion ingredients and the perfect wand! Look out for weird and wonderful wildlife, then make your wand and cast your spell. £5.60
Langdon Nature Discovery Centre
27th Halloween Spooktactular -Spooktacular fun this half term with spooky science experiments, tasty treats cooked on the fire, wand whittling, potion making, and creepy bug hunting! £11
27th Birds of Prey Evening £12
19th Autumn Family Forest Fun - look for mini beasts, get making in the mud kitchen, build dens, climb trees, be creative and enjoy a campfire £8.80
29th Halloween Tots Special £8.80
31st Wizarding Wands for Families £5.60
Colchester Zoo
17th, 18th, 24th, 25th, 27th, 29th, 31st Trail of Terror. Face your fears along a 1.5 mile route plus a train ride you won’t want to remember! Look out for clowns, zombies and creatures from the swamps of New Orleans, all put together by our CZS in-house team – Zoo team by day and scarers by night! Age 12+ recommended . Tickets from £25
Halloween at Southend Planetarium
Planetarium shows suitable for all ages! 29th Journey into Space, Meet the Meteorites, Howl at the Moon, Monstrous Myths, from £7-£10 per person
Halloween at Wat Tyler Country Park
31st and 1st Spooky Train Adventure! Includes creepy crawly experience. £7 per person
27th, 28th, 31st Holiday Half Hours - Badge Making £1.50, Pond Dipping £6.90, Soft Archery £6.90
29th 30th Watty Wood Activities - outdoor trail, make paper pumpkins, search for creepy creatures, make mini spiders webs. £8.05 per child
Autumn Colours at Daws Hall Nature Reserve
26th and 2nd Entry by donation! Activities for children at this beautiful Nature Reserve. No booking required.
Halloween at Thames Chase
This Forestry England park has so much going on and is great for families. A new inclusive play area opened this year. Thames Chase is also home to a great Stick Man Trail
28th Creepy Halloween Crafts - Unleash your creativity with a range of creepy crafts perfect for getting into the Halloween spirit. Ideal for children and families! £3
29th Halloween Party with Party Monsters, This 2 hour party includes magic, bubbles, snow, games, puppet show, balloons and loads more! £10
31st Creepy Animal Encounters with Eden Oasis - This Halloween season, dare to get up close with the creepy, the crawly, and the curiously cool! £10, Under 3s £3
Fright Fantastic at Adventure Island Southend
25th - 31st Trick-or-Treating, Halloween treasure hunt, eerie entertainment, free face painting, best-dressed competition with exciting prizes.
Halloween at the Gardens of Easton Lodge
19th Fun for families, including a spooky trail and games. There will be plant and craft stalls and produce from the Gardens on sale. Adults £6, Kids FREE
Essex Wildlife Trust's Thameside Nature Park is amazing for families, walkers and little explorers. The reserve has nature hides to sit and observe birds and nature from, walking trails and a visitor centre with a viewing deck. Small children will love the boat themed playground and there is also a wooden assault course for bigger kids.
Halloween in the Woods  29th Enjoy a twilight evening in the woods at Thameside! Venture through a haunted trail, craft your own ghostly lanterns, hunt for some creepy crawlies, and gather around the campfire* for a spooky storytime that will send shivers down your spine. £8.80
Woodland Witches and Wizards - 29th Craft your own magical wand, design a fairy house using nature-inspired materials, enjoy mixing up potions, listen to a story, and even have a campfire! £8.80
Epping Ongar Railway
25th, 26th, 29th, 30th 31st Ghost Trail - The Ghost Train service is planned to be operated by a steam locomotive from North Weird to Ongar and from Epping Forest to North Weird. A heritage diesel locomotive will operate the train from Ongar to Epping Forest. Adults from £20, Children from £10
The Hive Nature School
31st Outdoor Play Halloween Special - spooky themed sensory play, nature crafts, potion making and plenty of time to explore outdoors in this beautiful setting. Suitable for children aged approximately 12 months up until 7 years old. £15 per child and £3 per each additional sibling.
Autumn at Barleylands
25th - 2nd Halloween Festival - singing, dancing and a spellbinding story time with Skittleman, Barley and the Pumpkin. There will also be pumpkin decorating, a spooky maze, as well as all the usual farm favourites. From £13.95 per person, Under 2s £3.50
Spooky Nights - Skittleman disco, unlimited fairground rides, treat or treating around the Village, spooky maze, indoor play barn, creepy crawly critter shows, visit animals, Halloween-themed characters, Halloween light displays . £18.50 per person, £5 under 2s.
Chigborough Halloween MazeÂ
27th/28th Halloween themed six acre maize maze. The afternoon session will not be as scary as the evening session. Scary sessions features live actors and themed dark fairy tale zones. Adults £16.50, Children £15
The Naze nature reserve has beautiful, coastal walking trails. It is the home of the iconic Naze Tower. The Naze cliffs are also brilliant for fossil hunting! Check out our Guide - Where to find Fossils in Essex. There are also great events held by Essex Wildlife Trust.
27th and 28thFamily Fossil Discovery £4.50
27th Nature Tots Special £8.80
28th Magic Wands and Potions £6.70
29th Seashore Science and Discovery £6.70
Halloween High-Jinks at High Woods Country Park
31st Join in our spooky Halloween craft activities and ghoulish ghost walk, all finished off with hot chocolate and marshmallows around the fire. £6.20
Abberton Reservoir
29th Wilder Holiday Club - Drop off event - fire lighting to den building, natural crafts to tool use, pond dipping and animal tracking. £37
Hive in the Forest
25th Halloween and Hot Dogs - Make a nature lantern, follow a Halloween trail and enjoy some campfire treats. £12 per child and £6 per adult
31st Witches and Wizards Woodland Storytime, based on the beloved classic Room on the Broom £12 per child
Adventure Cinema at Hylands House
Screenings take place in the Writtle events field, behind Hylands Adventure Castle. Fancy dress encouraged! Also enjoy a spooky soundtrack before the film, featuring creepy classics and Halloween anthems.
17th Scary Movie (18)
18th Hocus Pocus (PG)
19th The Nightmare Before Christmas (PG)
Museum of Power
31st Arts, Crafts and other Spooky Activities. The Miniature Railway will be running a night train (charge of £2 per adult and £1 per child) and the Steam Pump Tea Room open for food and refreshments. As well as free entry to the Model Village, there is free entry to the Museum and free car parking. Adults £8, CHildren £5, Under 3s £1
Halloween Train
31st Spooky and fun-filled Halloween train ride from Manningtree to Harwich Town. Departs Manningtree at 4:00pm and arrive at Harwich Town at 4:22pm. After some eerie activities and a most inventive costume competition, return to Manningtree at 4:48pm. Each child will receive a special Halloween-themed goodie bag. Book Event
Fingringhoe Wick
27th Spooktacular Fun - Carve a pumpkin and try a delicious pumpkin treat cooked over the fire. Whittle a magical wand. Mix and grind smelly, natural ingredients to concoct a magic potion of your own. Explore the reserve to find all the hidden wooden pumpkins. £13
30th - Wilder Holiday Club - Drop off event - fire lighting to den building, natural crafts to tool use, pond dipping and animal tracking. £37
Nuclear Wild Forest
28th 30th October Just Get Over It 90 minutes of land and water obstacles. Hot chocolate and marshmallow treat. £22 plus booking fee
Hedingham Castle
24th Tales in the Tower: Ghost Stories by M. R. James. Suitable for 14+ £18
Plants Galore
Spooky Maze! Halloween fun with mini golf, giant games and a fantastic magic show. Every ticketed child receives their very own pumpkin. Children £14.99 Adult £4.99
Lee Valley Animal Adventure Park
Halloween Festival - Put on your spookiest costume and explore our devilishly decorated farm. Enjoy thrilling LIVE shows. Haunted walk-throughs, pumpkin picking patch, adventure play area, arts & crafts, farm yard fun. From £11.99
Don't forget to check the Park Directory for more park inspiration -
